The image titled 'gannet jacuzzi' was the overall winner and submitted by Dr Matt Doggett who said "I like this image as almost every stage of the action is captured."

A photograph of a group of gannets (seabirds) diving into water has been declared winner of the 2012 British Wildlife Photography awards. The photograph, taken from below the water's surface, was snapped by Dr Matt Doggett and is titled Gannet Jacuzzi.

The 33 year old took the photograph from an undisclosed remote location off the north coast of Scotland and called the experience an incredible one.

Greg Armfield, the photography and film manager from World Wildlife Fund and one of the judges, described the photograph as a striking image that captured "the raw power and grace of the diving gannets".

The organisers said they received thousands of entries to the competition, which was spread over 12 senior categories and two junior awards. The number of entries was confirmed as the highest since the competition was launched in 2009 and special mention was made of the number of entries received from youngsters.

A book - British Wildlife Photography Awards: Collection 3 - with all the winning photographs will be on display at the Mall Galleries between 17 and 19 September, prior to a nationwide tour.

Winners:

British Wildlife Photographer - Dr Matt Doggett, from Southampton, for Gannet Jacuzzi

Animal Portraits - Neil McIntyre, from Aviemore, Scottish Highlands, for Red Deer Stag in Pine Forest

Urban Wildlife - Phil Jones, from Ceredigion, Wales, for Starlings Watching Starlings

Habitat - Alexander Mustard, from Southampton, for Grey Seal in Underwater Cave

Hidden Britain - Dale Sutton, from East Sussex, for Leap for Freedom

Coast and Marine - Dr Matt Doggett, from Southampton, for Gannet Jacuzzi

Animal Behaviour - Amanda Hayes, from Suffolk, for Herring Gull and Puffin

Wild Woods - Jeremy Walker, from Dorset, for New Forest in Autumn

Living Landscapes - Stephen Powles, from Devon, for Culm Divided

Wildlife in my Backyard - David Handley, for Wasp House Cleaning

Documentary Series Portfolio - Mark Hamblin, from Inverness-shire, for feature on Glen Tanar Estate in Aberdeenshire

British Seasons Portfolio - Jules Cox, for Snow Hare

Wildlife in HD Video - Raymond Besant, for Fulmars

Young People's Award WildPix Under 12s - William Briggs, from Tunbridge Wells, Kent, for his image of a chaffinch

Young People's Award WildPix 12-18 - Ashley Butterworth, from Cheshire, for his image of Arctic Terns

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